Toy News Tuesday: Fully Armed And Operational

Right on time as always, we’re back with an all-new Toy News Tuesday! We’re the one weekly column right here on ScienceFiction.com where we seek out all of the awesome news you need to know about any announcements and cool happenings in the toy industry and put them all in one easy to find place for you! It’s officially February and that means that this month is jam-packed with fun stuff! We’re only a little over a week away from one of the most romantic days of the year, Valentines Day! Maybe you’ll find the perfect collectible for the love of your life or vice versa! It also means that we’re only a little over a week away from New York Toy Fair 2018, where we will get a first look at all of the coolest new toys hitting the shelves this year from all of our favorite companies! In the meantime, while we wait, there is still plenty of cool stuff to see in the toy news for the week of February 6th, 2018!

Hasbro’s Marvelous New Offerings

With New York Toy Fair 2018 just around the corner, Hasbro seems to be jumping the gun with a number of new reveals this week! We’ve got our first taste of a number of new Marvel lines including products based on characters in some of the years most anticipated Marvel films like ‘Black Panther’, ‘Antman & The Wasp’, and even the Sony produced ‘Venom’! If you’re a Marvel toy collector, this week is the gift that keeps on giving!

From ‘Black Panther’, we’ve got the latest item from Marvel’s 1:1 scale Marvel Legends Prop Replica line with the new Black Panther Helmet as reported by Yahoo! Yes, you read that right; You will soon be able to purchase a life-sized wearable Black Panther replica helmet that even features light up effects! The lenses on the helmet also flip up, and the helmet has adjustable sizings so that it should fit on most adult sized heads with ease (speaking from experience with their ‘Starlord’ Helmet from last year, these things will fit anybody)! The one downside is that, like the rest of the Marvel Legends Prop Replica line, it’s priced a bit high at $99.99. But when you really think about what you’re getting, it certainly seems like a small price to pay for such a larger than life item that can bring a bit of the Marvel Universe into your home!

Last week we got our first trailer for Marvel’s upcoming ‘Antman & The Wasp’ film, and now thanks to EW we’ve got our first look at some of the toys! While this movie is a little smaller in scale than some of the grandstanding ‘Avengers’ films, it’s definitely going to be hitting the collectibles market in a big way! So far items announced for the toy line include Titan Hero 12″ figures of both Antman and The Wasp, “Shrink and Strike” Antman 12″ figure, “Wing FX” The Wasp 12″ figure, and Role Play Masks for both of our titular heroes! Shockingly, there have not been any 6″ Marvel Legends figures announced for release alongside this film yet, but after how poorly the wave based on the last film sold, it wouldn’t be too shocking to see this film get skipped over in favor of more popular characters (although I’ve got my fingers crossed that we still get some 6″ scale figures of updated Antman and The Wasp before years end!).

Titan Hero Antman & The Wasp

Shrink & Strike Antman & Wing FX The Wasp

Antman & The Wasp Role Play Masks

While it isn’t technically considered a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this fall Spider-Man fans are looking forward to a ‘Venom’ solo film! THR is reporting that Hasbro has plans for a number of ‘Venom’ themed products including a basic 6″ assortment of figures, a collector aimed wave of Venom themed 6″ Marvel Legends figures, and 12″ Titan figures of both Venom and Carnage!

Titan Hero Venom & Carnage

6″ Basic Venom vs Carnage 2-Pack

6″ Marvel Legends Venom & Carnage

The King Has Returned

We are just over a week away from the wide theatrical release of one of the year’s most anticipated superhero films, ‘Black Panther’! The team at Mezco is celebrating the film’s release appropriately with the announcement of their all new 1:12 scale Black Panther figure based on his appearance from the movie! As with the rest of their One:12 Collective line of super detailed 6″ figures, Black Panther comes with a cloth costume and a number of accessories and interchangeable parts to give you the best possible experience! Mezco’s One:12 Collective Black Panther is up for pre-order now with its release expected this Fall and an MSRP of $80.00! Check out the full release from Mezco below!

Direct from the eagerly anticipated and groundbreaking feature film, Mezco welcomes Black Panther into the One:12 Collective. Intricately designed with a cloth outfit recreating that of King T’Challa’s Vibranium suit, authentically detailed accessories replicating those seen in the movie, and the likeness of actor Chadwick Boseman.

The One:12 Collective Black Panther figure boasts two comprehensively detailed head portraits: one masked and one unmasked, featuring the likeness of actor Chadwick Boseman. Special attention was paid when designing King T’Challa’s suit made from Vibranium, a rare metal that is lightweight, sleek, and bulletproof. In addition, Black Panther comes equipped with a meticulously crafted shield and spear, replicating similar weapons seen in the film.

Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to Wakanda. When two enemies conspire to bring down the kingdom, King T’Challa must team up as the Black Panther, with Wakanda’s special forces – the Dora Milaje, to prevent a world war.

THE ONE:12 COLLECTIVE BLACK PANTHER FIGURE FEATURES:

One:12 Collective body with over 30 points of articulation

Two (2) head portraits

Masked head

Unmasked head

Hand painted authentic detailing

Approximately 17cm tall

Eight (8) interchangeable hands

One (1) pair of fists (L&R)

One (1) pair of holding hands (L&R)

Two (2) pairs posing hands (L&R)

COSTUME:

Film-accurate masked head

Unmasked head featuring the likeness of actor Chadwick Boseman

Intricately detailed cowl

Authentically designed gauntlets

Impeccable belt detailing

Skillfully executed boots

ACCESSORIES:

One (1) shield

One (1) spear

Each One:12 Collective Black Panther figure is packaged in a collector friendly box, designed with collectors in mind. There are no twist ties for easy in-and-out of package display.

Head Hunters

Last week we got our first full look at Quantum Mechanix’s upcoming 1:6th scale Dean Winchester figure from The CW’s long-running ‘Supernatural’ television series, and this week we’ve got a quick update! The team at QMX have recently posted a close-up image of the head sculpts for Dean and his brother Sam (who should be up for pre-order soon as well!) to give fans a better idea of what to expect from the final figures when they hit the market later this year! If you weren’t sold on these before, the newly updated head sculpt and paint apps should certainly drive home just how much of a “must have” these figures are going to be for ‘Supernatural Fans’! Hopefully, we will see more at Toy Fair next weekend!

Give In To Your Anger

People will truly never get tired of the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy of films, and their hunger for collectibles based on the series original entries will never truly be fully satiated. That’s probably why Hot Toys continues to pump out even more awesome 1:6th scale figures based on the films, like their latest offerings of Emperor Palpatine and his Royal Guards! Sold separately, Emperor Palpatine and the Imperial Royal Guards new Hot Toys figures allow you to bring the grand finale of ‘Return Of The Jedi’ to life in glorious 1:6th scale! Palpatine includes a cane, a figure stand, and a number of interchangeable hands (including lighting effect hands!), with a special Deluxe Edition also being available that includes Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber hilt and a light-up Imperial Throne! Meanwhile, the Imperial Royal Guard includes a Force Pike, figure stand, and a number of interchangeable alternative hands. Both are expected to hit the market in early 2019! Check out the full listings from Hot Toys below!

“Let the hate flow through you.” – Emperor Palpatine Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core, Darth Sidious restored the Sith and destroyed the Jedi Order. Living a double life, Sidious was, in fact, Palpatine, a Naboo Senator, and phantom menace. He slowly manipulated the political system of the Galactic Republic until he was named Supreme Chancellor — and eventually Emperor — ruling the galaxy through fear and tyranny. Today, in expansion of our Star Wars classic trilogy collectible series, Hot Toys is pleased to officially introduce the 1/6th scale collectible figure of the evil Sith Lord Emperor Palpatine!

The highly-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the appearance of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. It features a newly developed head sculpt with remarkable likeness, specialized body and finely sculpted hands, Emperor’s cane, a pair of Force Lightning effect parts, and a highly detailed throne! Give in and make way for the 1/6th scale Emperor Palpatine collectible into your Star Wars collection!

“If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed!” – Emperor Palpatine Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core, Darth Sidious restored the Sith and destroyed the Jedi Order. Living a double life, Sidious was, in fact, Palpatine, a Naboo Senator, and phantom menace. He slowly manipulated the political system of the Galactic Republic until he was named Supreme Chancellor — and eventually Emperor — ruling the galaxy through fear and tyranny. Continue to expand the Star Wars classic trilogy collectible series, Hot Toys is excited to a present a Deluxe Version of the 1/6th scale collectible figure of the evil Sith Lord Emperor Palpatine!

The highly-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the appearance of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. It features a newly developed head sculpt with remarkable likeness, specialized body, and finely sculpted hands, Emperor’s cane, a pair of Force Lightning effect parts! This Deluxe Version will exclusively include Emperor’s Imperial throne with great details and LED light-up function as well as Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber hilt! Now fulfill your destiny and welcome the Emperor to your Star Wars collection!

In Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, fans are finally able to meet the ominous evil Sith Emperor Palpatine and also introduced us to his Royal Guards. Resplendent in crimson robes and armor, the Imperial Royal Guard protected the Emperor. Secrecy shrouded the Guard, with rumors abounding about the sentinels’ backgrounds and combat capabilities. Today, in addition to the official unveiling of the Emperor Palpatine 1/6th scale collectible figure, Hot Toys is excited to present the new 1/6th scale collectible figure of the Royal Guard for all Star Wars fans!

The highly-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the appearance of Royal Guard in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. It features finely sculpted Royal Guard helmet, expertly tailored robe and outfit, a Force pike, and figure stand. Your Star Wars collection will not be complete unless you have the Emperor and his Royal Guards in your display!

Hey Batter Batter Batter!

First, I am so incredibly sorry for this segment title. Second, I am super excited to tell you that ThreeZero has announced fan favorite Glenn will be making his way to their 1:6th scale ‘The Walking Dead’ line! While he may no longer be alive on the show, Glenn will soon be able to live on in your 1:6th scale collection! Glenn will come packed with a variety of weapons and alternative hands when he releases later this year! There will also be a ‘Deluxe’ ThreeZero exclusive version that includes a Walkie Talkie accessory and Hershel’s Pocketwatch! Glenn is supposed to go up for pre-order later this week with an expected retail price of $178. Check out the full release from ThreeZero below!

AMC The Walking Dead 1/6 Glenn Rhee collectible figure pre-order begins at www.threezerohk.com on February 9th, 9:00 AM HKT; priced at $178 USD / 1385 HKD including worldwide shipping. In addition to the standard version, we have prepared a Threezero exclusive variant which will include additional accessories walkie-talkie and Hershel Greene’s pocket watch; priced at $188 USD / 1465 HKD including worldwide shipping. Commemorate this beloved character with us!

The Funko Forecast

Get ready for the Funko Forecast! This is where we’re going to be showcasing all of the cool new announcements and reveals from Funko! With all of the awesome that consistently seems to be flowing out of those guys, it shouldn’t be hard to keep this section alive each and every week!

ECCC Exclusive Reveals

Last week we had a few leaked images to give us an idea of what we can expect to see by way of Funko Exclusives at Emerald City Comic Con in a few weeks, but this week we have some official reveals from Funko plus some rumors as to where you may find these shared at retail!

Confirmed by Marvel we have POP! Vinyls of Yondu (shared with Target) and She-Hulk (shared with ToysRUs), plus a Deadpool Duck Dorbz (shared with Walgreens)! On the Star Wars end of things, we have a POP! Vinyl of Padme Amidala (shared with Gamestop), plus an Ashoka Tano Galactic Plushie (shared with Hot Topic) and a special super limited edition Loungefly Star Wars Backpack and Pencil Case that will be limited to only 4000 pieces and available exclusively at the convention! We will keep you updated as more exclusives are revealed!

And with that, we bring this week’s Toy News Tuesday to a close! What do you think about the new items announced this week? Do you plan on picking up anything we mentioned in this week’s column? Are there any lines or brands you’d like to see more coverage of? Let us know in the comments section below!

Jordan DesJardins

Jordan DesJardins is a writer from Philadelphia with a passion for the collectible! Jordan is ScienceFiction's resident Toy Columnist, covering news for the Toy Industry in our weekly column 'Toy News Tuesday', as well as interviews, convention coverage, product reviews, and more! As an avid collector of both Toys and Comics, Jordan can often be found at comic conventions, or scouring the city for the latest Minimates and Funko Pops to hit the shelves!